Your Guide to Cancer: Risks, Prevention, and Vital Health Tips

Cancer has long been one of the most concerning health issues globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. In 2020, approximately 1 in every 6 people’s death was caused by cancer. In recent years, liquid biopsy has emerged as a major breakthrough in cancer screening. Thanks to advances in medicine, cancer survival rates and prognoses have significantly improved over the past decade.

This article will give you a comprehensive understanding of cancer –causes, staging, detection, and treatments, helping you to take early preventive measures and protect your health.

What is Cancer?

Cancer (from the Greek word “karkinos” meaning “crab”) is a disease caused by cell division and growth. It can occur in any part of the body and may spread beyond its original site (metastasis).

What Causes Cancer?

Most cancers are not caused by a single factor but rather the result of multiple interacting factors. Common risk factors include:

1. Genetic Factors

Family history: Around 5–10% of cancer cases are linked to inherited genetic mutations.

2. Environmental Factors

Viruses (e.g., Epstein-Barr virus and Human Papillomavirus [HPV])
Carcinogens (e.g., benzene, asbestos, cadmium, radioactive elements)
Hormones
Radiation / previous radiation therapy
Prolonged sun exposure

3. Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits

Smoking
Alcohol consumption
High-fat diet
High consumption of highly processed food
High consumption of red meat

4. Chronic or Long-term Illness

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease predispose to colon cancer
Non-healing wounds can predispose to skin cancer

Cancer Staging: 5 Major Stages

The most commonly used cancer staging system is the TNM System:

T refers to tumor size
N indicates whether the tumor has invaded nearby lymph nodes
M describes whether the cancer has metastasised to other organs

Stages
Stage 0	Carcinoma in situ – the earliest form of cancer; non-invasive stage, tumor cells remain within the boundaries of the basement membrane
Stage I	A tumor is present (breached the basement membrane) but has not grown into nearby tissues or spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
Stage II	A larger tumor that may have grown minimally into nearby tissues and possibly spread to a few nearby lymph nodes.
Stage III	A larger tumor that has invaded nearby tissues and has spread to nearby lymph nodes and possibly other contiguous structures (e.g., breast cancer that has spread to the skin)
Stage IV	Advanced cancer that has spread to distant parts of the body (e.g., cancer of the lungs that has spread to the brain )

Local Cancer Statistics in 2022

According to the Hospital Authority, there were 35,373 new cancer cases in 2022 – an average of 97 new diagnoses per day. Cancer remains Hong Kong’s leading cause of death, with 14,717 deaths recorded that year.

Top 5 Most Common Cancers for both Males and Females

Lung cancer (16.1%)
Breast cancer (14.7%)
Colorectal cancer (14.7%)
Prostate cancer (7.8%)
Liver cancer (4.6%)

Cancer Risk Increases with Age

The median age of cancer diagnosis is 66 years, meaning half of all cases occur in people aged 66 or older. Only 0.5% of cancer cases occur in children and adolescents.

Symptoms of Cancer

Different types of cancer have different symptoms, and early signs can often go unnoticed. Be alert to the following warning signs:

Lumps in any part of the body
Hemoptysis (Coughing up blood)
Unexplained, persistent weight loss
Blood in stool or urine
Fatigue
Persistent headache and dizziness
Persistent cough

Having these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer. Always pay attention to changes in your body and get regular check-ups to aid in early detection and treatment. If you have any concerns, please consult a doctor promptly.

Cancer Detection Methods

Early detection is crucial for improving survival rates. Many cancers diagnosed at an early stage have a five-year survival rate of 90% or higher. Breast cancer, prostate cancer, and thyroid cancer diagnosed in Stage 1 often have survival rates similar to the general population.

Common cancer screening methods include:

Imaging tests: X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds
Blood tests: Complete blood count, tumor markers
Tissue biopsy: Extraction of suspicious tissue for pathological analysis
Liquid biopsy: Detects circulating tumor cells or tumor DNA in blood and other bodily fluids. Especially useful for those with a family history of cancer. Common proprietary tests include:
- LucenceINSIGHT™
- Circulating Tumor Cell Test
- Guardant360^® CDx

Cancer Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer. Common approaches include:

Surgery: Removal of the tumor
Radiation therapy: High-energy radiation to kill cancer cells
Chemotherapy: Drugs to inhibit cancer cell growth
Targeted therapy: Drugs that target specific genetic mutations in cancer
Immunotherapy: Boosts the immune system to fight against cancer
Palliative care: For patients with advanced, incurable cancer. Aims at improving quality of life for the patient and his/her family members.
Gene therapy: Modification of the patient’s own immune cells to recognise and attack cancerous cells
Bone marrow transplant: Usually done for blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma

Can Cancer Be Prevented?

While cancer cannot be completely prevented, people at high risk (e.g., having family history, unhealthy diet and lifestyle habits) have the option to undergo regular liquid biopsies to assess and monitor their cancer risk, taking early preventive measures to improve health.

The following healthy lifestyle habits can significantly reduce the risk of cancer:

Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption
Eat a balanced diet – more fruits, vegetables and soluble fiber, less processed meat and high-sugar/fat foods
Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly
Get enough sleep
Get regular screenings (e.g., mammograms, Pap smears, colonoscopies)

Regular Check-Ups To Safeguard Your Health

Cancer can be alarming, but it is not always unpreventable or uncontrollable. By raising awareness, adopting a proactive lifestyle, and undergoing regular medical check-ups, we can greatly reduce our cancer risk – and even detect it early enough for successful treatment. Health is a lifelong responsibility, and the deepest expression of love to yourself and your loved one. Start today by setting personal health goals, undergoing regular check-ups, and proactively seizing every opportunity to safeguard your life.